Thursday Thoughts: Universal Dreaming Time

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Silver James

I get an email from the Universe every day. Sometimes the message resonates and I save it to share here when the time feels right. When I got ready to set up this post? Yeah. Well. After reading through–over and over–all the Universal notes I’d saved, none of them seemed…right. Not for what is in my head or my heart. Not for what is happening in the world. My anger isn’t exactly receeding, but I’m becoming resigned. I finally decided on this one. Which, by the time I finished musing, did sort of fit.

The presumption, Silver, at all times and under all circumstances, should always be that you are good enough, worthy enough, and lovable enough. And that you are exactly the right kind of person, in the right place, at the right time. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been instilled with such dreams in the first place.

Love you,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Trust me, Silver, the Dream Fairies are real sticklers.

Just so you know, ALL lives matter in my world. The life of a retired St. Louis cop who became police chief in his small town, and who was shot and killed by protesting looters as he tried to protect a store belonging to a friend, is just as important as anyone who dies at the hands of a wrong cop. The fact that police chief is black doesn’t matter to those spitting the rhetoric that only lives of a certain color matter. Why? Because he wore a badge.  That means he wasn’t really black, I guess. The police officer killed by the rioting protest mob in Oakland was black, but there are no protesters waving signs bearing his name and face, calling for justice for his family. So I’m done. Their rhetoric doesn’t wash with me.

Instead, I’m going to dream of my world where ALL lives matter. Where bad cops and criminals, regardless the color of their skin or their religion or their sexual orientation, are dealt with fairly by the justice system. Where victims, regardless the color of their skin or their religion or their sexual orientation, receive justice at the hand of that system despite the agenda of those who caused them harm. Because those victims’ lives matter. I hope I am in the right place at the right time and that the Dream Fairies can fix the hypocracy. Not sure their magic wands are big enough so I’m not holding my breath, but I’m dreaming it with all my heart. Because, folks, take it from someone who’s been there, done that. If all lives don’t matter, then none do.

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Wednesday Words: Never Forget

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Silver James

Given current events, today’s #1lineWed theme of **REMEMBRANCE, MEMORIAL, HONOR** seems a bit ironic because the dead I choose to honor and remember? Well…anyway. I’m still angry so I’m redirecting it. The idea came to me Monday night as I was trying to fall asleep, the opening playing over and over in my head. So I sat down Tuesday morning and wrote this. I don’t know if I will ever finish this book but I can damn sure work on it when I need an outlet because the main character is angry too. I think you can get an idea of the set up from this snippet. And I can tell you that she will remember, memorialize, and honor her dead.
****
THE WIDOW
Chapter 1

“Not guilty.”

The courtroom erupted. First, a wave of sound—shocked gasps. Then shouts of disbelief followed by the judge banging his gavel. The defendants hugged and slapped each others’ backs before doing the same to their attorneys, all of them grinning. No. Smirking. A few jurors looking guilty, the others showing signs of smug relief. Through it all, the woman in black sat on the front row of the gallery, right behind the prosecution table. Her face remained blank but her eyes missed nothing.

The district attorney, who hadn’t showed in the courtroom until time for the verdict and had played no part in the prosecution of this murder case, turned to her. He opened his mouth but snapped it shut as her gaze pierced him. He glanced, nervous now, at the defense table. The defendants’ knowing eyes rested on him. He turned toward the bench, waiting for court to be adjourned.

The courtroom cleared, but the woman in black remained in her seat, hands clasped in her lap, her face still blank.

Fourteen months.
Thirteen days.
Twelve jurors.
Eleven witnesses.
Ten pounds.
Nine indictments.
Eight weeks.
Seven cops.
Six defense attorneys.
Five hours.
Four defendants
Three dead.
Two seconds.
One judge.

The bailiff cleared his throat. She didn’t look at him as she rose. She ignored the reporters flocking like vultures in the hallway of the courthouse, their shouted questions bouncing off the shield of her cold control. Outdoors at last, standing on the granite steps of this alleged sanctuary for justice, she paused. Her eyes flicked across the big man standing at the bottom of the steps, his hip leaning against the base of the statue depicting Lady Justice. Arms crossed over over his chest, he watched her.

The horde of sensationalism-seekers hounded her, crowding the steps she would have to navigate to escape. Turning her attention to the reporters, she looked each one in the eye with such intensity her gaze left them unsettled.

“I will honor my husband’s memory,” she began.

The doors opened behind her and the men who’d blown her world apart breezed out, laughing like they had not a care in the world. They started to hassle her but the ferocity of her promise shut them up.

“I will never forget.” She stared for a moment, fixating on each man. Then she turned, dismissing them, and stepped down. The reporters scattered before her regal descent.

“Gonna have to take care of that,” one of the men muttered. “The sooner the better.”
****
Not sure any of us are writing much these days but if you have words to share, please do. Crawling back into my writer’s cave now. I have a new release to prep.

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Tuesday Treats: Turtle Dump Cake

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Silver James

The world is nutting batshit so I’m prescribing comfort food today. For me, that’s anything chocolate. Because…chocolate! Am I right? Of course, I am. 

 

Total Time: 50 Min.
Prep Time: 10 Min.
Cook Time: 40 Min.
12 servings, 1/2 cup each

Treat your family to a special dessert―without working too hard―with Turtle Dump Cake. Pecans, caramels, and chocolate come together beautifully in under one hour. Plus, a dollop of whipped topping adds the perfect flourish to Turtle Dump Cake.

What You Need
1 pkg. (11 oz.) KRAFT Caramels
2 cups milk, divided
1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER’S Rich Milk Chocolate, chopped, divided
1 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans, divided
1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil’s food cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup (about 1/3 of 8-oz. tub) thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 350°F
2 – Microwave caramels and 1/2 cup milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; stir. Microwave additional 1 to 2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Stir in remaining milk.
3 – Pour into 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with half each of the milk chocolate pieces and nuts.
4 – Sprinkle with dry cake mix, then top with remaining milk chocolate pieces and nuts. Drizzle evenly with butter.
5 – Bake 35 to 40 min. or until edges are lightly puffed. (Center of cake should be soft but not wet.)
6 – Serve topped with COOL WHIP.

Note: Some reviews say it’s soggy in the middle. One used dark chocolate at high altitude and had other problems. There’s a BIG difference in cooking with milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Weird, I know, but I’ve discovered this with tried and true brownie recipes. Milk chocolate has a higher liquid content. I’m wondering what would happen if you mixed the butter with the cake mix rather than dribbling across the top. Must experiment one of these days. Also, could you substitute slivered almonds or peanuts? More experimentation!

Also Note: Feel free to use ice cream (B.E.) instead of Cool Whip. 😉

All the details are HERE at My Food and Family. I’m not the only one who turns to chocolate when stressed and/or angry. Everytime I see the 🤬 face, I think of Hannah. We all know Hannah can’t cook. Luckily, Annie Donaldson does. Whenever Hannah gets stressed–or pissed, Annie shows up on the front porch with this cake. Then they invite all mates over for coffee and cake. Hannah does brew great coffee. The Wolves get together to send flowers to Annie whenever this occurs. 🤣 If you want to see all of the Wolves, their ladies, and the kids settle into their HEAs, check out MOON SHOT and see what life is like after and the excitement. Just click on the cover or the title to head over to Amazon to grab the book if you haven’t read it already. Warning, it IS the last book in the series so….read all the others first. 😉 Raise your hand if you rely on chocolate and/or comfort food when the times get tough. 🙋‍♀️

On a side note…

Y’all bear with me for a moment because I’m about to do something I never do on social media. I am angry. Gut-churning, clinch-fisted, screaming-at-people angry. And have been since last night. You [amorphous anonymous person] want to make a point with peaceful protest? Go for it. But you DON’T EFFING burn out businesses or charities or vandalize and damage the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial!!!! So yeah, I’m all about the comfort food at the moment. Me and Hannah both. I’m going to be shoveling it in with both hands for awhile. 

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June the First of Mondays

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Silver James

It’s a new month. A new week. And Monday. We’re halfway through 2020, though it seems like it should be 2022 by now! There was a weekend. The world turned crazy. I can’t even go there. Or maybe I should say I won’t. Moving on.

SpaceX launched. I watched. It reminded me of the wide-eyed wonder of my childhood. Stormy wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. For now. At six, this is always subject to change, as it should be. But LG and I watched. It was awesome and inspiring and I was excited when the text notification that Dragon had docked safely with the International Space Station. Woohoo for us! And US!

Stormy had two soccer games Saturday. Sadly, only 3 teammates showed up. The first coach agreed to play 3 on 3 because she only had 5 players herself. In the second game, the coach loaned us various members of his team to play 4 on 4 and give his players more time on the field. Our 5-6 year olds are playing 8U teams. Still, Stormy managed a goal which perked up his spirits. We keep reminding him that he’s playing bigger and more experienced kids. I hope he doesn’t get discouraged.

I’m doing more audio book listening of late. TV is much like social media–toxic. There’s enough anger to go around and I don’t want to invite it in. So, old movies, paranormal shows and Mysteries of the Abandoned for me. Sports replays. And favorite books by favorite authors and favorite narrators. Also, Live PD. I’m worried though about them going live again this coming weekend.

Speaking of Live PD and reruns, when I catch one of their “Missing” reports, I search the internet to see if the child/person has been located. Several have. Big yay for those found safe. Sad for those who were found dead, though their families have closure.

Still waiting on BETRAYAL’s cover. Technical difficulties due to a corrupted file. 🤞 for sometime this week. I decided to do a final read through, which is taking a bit of time. I can only read for so long before my eyes give out, even on the big monitor. This puppy is over 90K words so… Anyway, thank you for being patient.

I didn’t mention what I’m listening to. Comfort reads from fav authors, mostly due to new releases in those series. I did a spotty relisten to parts of Kristen Ashley’s Dream Man series and her new spin-off, the Dream series, leading to DREAM MAKER, the new release there. Loved the characters and the story. The production of the audio book? Totally sucked. Lots of complaints, so hopefully, it will be fixed, remastered, and released FREE to all of us who paid for the download. I went back to my In Death reread and got two in before starting on Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling Trinity series and next week’s release of ALPHA NIGHT. I’m actually starting with ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR, which is the final book of her Psy-Changeling series before moving into the 3 previous books on the Trinity series, which is a spin-off of the original. I was really tempted to go back to the beginning but that would take a couple of weeks. Anyway, I’m all about hiding from the real world and these books give me headspace for that.

Not much else going on in my world. The weather is finally warming up. Yay for AC. Jake gets to go to soccer though I’m looking forward to having him with me when I shop again. I’m worried that his training has slipped a little. We’ll see. Yes, I’ve worked with him at home but it’s not the same as being around strangers, with shopping carts, and shelves of stuff.

I am going to try very hard to get lost in one of my own worlds this week. I want new words written and the only way to do that is stop letting the outside world intrude on my mental health. I’m pretty much gone from social media. I hang out on my author page on FB because *I* control the environment there and the people who hang out with me are totally made of awesome! ❤ ❤ ❤ I don't check my twitter feed or my personal page feed for the most part. Anger and despair is bad for both my emotional AND physical health. So. Screw the real world. I'm going to go play in my own world. I hope to get new stuff out on a more regular basis so y'all can come hide too.

In the meantime, you take care of you. Do what you have to do in these crazy times to stay healthy and safe. Share something hopeful here, if you'd like–a good book you read, a movie/TV show. A new recipe you tried and enjoyed. Your favorite flavor of ice cream. How you like your coffee. Anything that makes you smile a little–or a lot. That's how we'll get through. 🥰

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Friday Sinema: Them Girls

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Silver James

Time is rolling past. Here it is another Firday and come Monday, we rewind the calendar and start a new month. I love Lee Brice’s voice and I think I’ve found my inspiration for an upcoming heroine. Her story is coming next February. Justice is definitely one. So am I. What about you? Are you “One of Them Girls?” Have an awesome weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Magic

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Silver James
Writing fiction has been described as making magic. In a way, I suppose that’s true. I mean, we close our eyes, pluck characters and events and settings from the vast cosmic void that makes up our imaginations. Then we use words to describe those settings and people and make things happen. Easy peasy, right? Wrong. Writing is hard. Creating a cast, a plot, and the places where it all occurs takes time. Characters don’t arrive whole cloth. They aren’t two dimensional. They have to read real. As in, they could be the couple at the next table or the slightly scary dude standing behind you in line at the store. They must have motivation. Goals. Conflict, Stuff needs to happen in a clear, logical sequence. It takes practice and work and lots of do overs. But it is magic. In a way.


Through you, through you, through you, Silver…

The magic works through you. Not beside you. Not around you. Not for you. Not despite you. But through you.

You have to go there. You have to choose your stage. You have to do your dance. Putting yourself in place, to any degree that you can, even if it scares you, even when it’s “hard,” even if it’s just your big toe. Stretch yourself, scoff at the odds, get the ball rolling so that the magic can then come alive and sweep you off your feet with its infinite grace and glory.

You wouldn’t just carry around the seeds for the garden of your dreams in your pocket, all the while asking where your flowers were? Nope, you’d have to brave the elements, you’d have to choose the location, and then you’d have to go there.

Your life is your wand (or hoe),
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Oh, Silver, it is one heck of a party to those so initiated, but every single one of them (long dramatic pause) had to invite themselves, and use their own motor skills to arrive. And the dip is out of this world.

Like a magician has to practice, so does the writer. Like the magician has to dream up tricks, so does a writer. And when the magic happens, the audience is left awed, amazed, and amused, each in turn. The Universe is right. We have to capture the magic, channel it, use it. We have to stretch, write in ways that scare us, get better. Even when we don’t want to. Even when the well seems dry. We sit down. We plant seeds. And the words grow. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t quit. Keep planting and stretching and scaring yourself. It’s worth it. Turning caffeine into words is my magic superpower. What’s yours?
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Wednesday Words: Picture of Health

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Silver James

How can May almost be over? This is the last Hump Day in the month. Once again, I’ve looked to Twitter’s #1lineWed for inspiration and today’s theme is *HEALTH.* I’m happy to report that the only mentions of “health” (without searching for all the synonyms and permutations) were previously published so I decided to write new words. Yay! This is a snippet from NIGHT WISH from our heroine’s POV. I can tell you that Jen moved to the Kansas City area despite the fact that Wizard basically walked away from her. Her job…well, you can probably figure that out from the snippet. 😉
****
Jen
Early to bed, early to rise. Welcome to my life, I thought bitterly. I was neither wealthy, healthy or wise. No. I was simply mired in a swamp of depression, regrets, and feeling totally stupid. Why was I here? What had I been thinking? Masochist. That was me.

I heaved out of my car then leaned back in to grab my bag. I hated this job. Hated my apartment. Hated my life. I even hated myself but could I hate the one person who was the basis for all this? Oh, hell no. Not me. See? Masochist. Totally. I shut my car door and beeped the locks on my fob. Trudging to the front door, I fumbled for the other set of keys.

Something slammed into me and I careened into the building’s entrance, my face smashing against the glass. Stunned, I tried to figure out what had happened. I caught a reflection in the glass. Two men. In hoodies. One had a gun. I hated Mondays?

“Open the door, bitch.”

Stars were still zooming around my head like in the cartoons but my brain decided it was time to think. I could unlock the door and not hit the alarm code. Or I could hit the panic button. Or…not. Had my employer paid the alarm company? I’d bugged him about that for two months now.

“Bitch! Door!”

I dug in my bag for the keys, managing to spill a bunch of stuff in the process. Not that I cared. The one with the gun was now pressed up against me and the barrel of the gun pressed into that soft indention at the base of my skull. A shadow flickered in my peripheral vision and then there was nothing around me. I checked the glass door. No. Wasn’t my imagination. The two men were gone. Poof. Like puffs of smoke.

A third man appeared, this one tall, muscular, and wearing an all-too-familiar vest. For a moment, my heart seized. Wizard. But it wasn’t. Another Nightrider. One I didn’t recognize. He shook his head and looked like he wanted to tsk at me.
“Seriously, babe. You need to find a better job.”

Did I mention I hated Mondays? They just weren’t conducive to my health.
****
So there it is. Jen and Wiz have a hard story to tell for…reasons. But it’s coming out. Slowly, not very surely, but eventually, it’ll all be revealed. In the meantime, writers? Any words to share about your characters’ health? Readers, do you like medical dramas? Yeah, yeah, total non sequitur but there ya go. 😉

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Tuesday Treats: Caesar Tortellini Salad

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Silver James

I’m a big fan of pasta salads, especially with the edition of meat because…carnivore. Even if it’s chicken. 😉 Anyway, this is an easy variation with some awesome flavors. As I’m allergic to tomatoes, I leave those out. Your mileage may vary.

Total Time: 1 Hr. 15 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 1 Hr.
Servings: 6 (1 cup each)

Thanks to refrigerated cheese pasta, this Caesar Tortellini Salad couldn’t be quicker (or easier) to make. Sprinkle with Parmesan and enjoy!

What You Need
1 pkg. (9 oz.) refrigerated cheese tortellini, cooked, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup KRAFT Classic Caesar Dressing
2 plum tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
1 can (6 oz.) pitted black olives, drained
1/2 cup sliced red onions, separated into rings
1/4 cup POLLY-O Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Let’s Make It
1 – Toss all ingredients except cheese in large bowl; cover.
2 – Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
3 – Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: Keep an eye on portion size when you enjoy this rich salad!

Tip 2 – Substitute: Substitute 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced, for the olives.

Tip 3 – Variation: Chicken Caesar Tortellini Salad – Add 2 grilled or broiled boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips, to salad before refrigerating.

My Tip – You can use creamy Caesar dressing which is a nice change. Also croutons and/or bacon bits for a bit of crunch. And, as above, no tomatoes for me!
****
In our regular Tuesday drill, CLICK for all the details. Living though a muggy Oklahoma summer means I’m always on the lookout for easy, non-oven meals that are filing and cool to eat. I’m not the only one. Since her significant other, Duke Reagan, is based out of Key West, Dr. Cory Prince also appreciates cool recipes that are easy and filling and something her manly-man, Hard Target team leader Duke will eat. Duke is not just a former SEAL and the team is made up of men out of the ordinary. They met when Duke’s SEAL Team Atlantis was sent to Africa to rescue the kidnapped doctor. You can read their story in DOUBLE CROSS (Hard Target #1). Grab a copy by clicking on the cover or the title.

What about y’all? What’s your favorite summer dish? And would you like to visit Key West?

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Memorial Monday

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Silver James

It’s Memorial Day. Considering the crazysauce that is most people’s life these days, celebrations will be small. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. Memorial Day isn’at about sales or cookouts or hanging at the beach. It’s about remembering and honoring the men and women of the military who made the supreme sacrifice for the rest of us so we could go to sales and have cookouts and hang out on the beach…or the lake. Or wherever. It feels a little weird because normally Lawyer Guy and the rest of veterans at his American Legion post would be out and about, handing out paper poppies and talking to kids who are curious. Not this year. No way would we risk a treasure like our 90+ year old WWII Navy veteran who served on the USS Enterprise. Anyway, take a moment today and send up a prayer or a thanks to those who made it possible for us to celebrate today. Also, I hope that someone in your neighborhood saw the CBS story on “Taps” Across America. At 3 p.m. today, buglers and trumpeters will step outside and play “Taps.” Step outside and listen, if you can. Put a hand over your heart and offer a moment of silence in respect.

Okay. Enough teary eyes because “Taps” always does that do me. There was a week and a weekend. And maybe light at the end of the tunnel.

First the not-too-important but their performances made me smile so it’s worth noting. Last Wednesday was the finale for The Masked Singer. The final three, after amazing performances, were revealed. Kandi Burris, the Night Angel, won. She was on Housewives of Atlanta, owns a restaurant chain, writes songs, and is basically multi-talented to the point I’m jealous. 😉 Runner-up was the Turtle, Jesse McCartney. He started his career on All My Children, sang with the boy band, Dream Street, and did/does cartoon voiceovers for various super heroes and the Chipmunks. The dude can sing! Coming in 3rd, and I’m sure it was a very close race, was the Frog, who turned out to be Bow Wow. Yes, that Bow Wow. He’s an amazing performer, rapper, and dancer. I totally want his moves! Anyway, it was a fun season. Can’t wait to see who participates this fall. In other TV news, Live PD is back to three hours and they’ve announced that they will be back “live” on June 5, with their 300th episode airing June 6. I’m guessing this means they will be back in the studio, rather than remote broadcasting from home.

Last week was slow in the reading/listening department–only 2 books. That’s okay. I actually worked. MOONSTRUCK: BETRAYAL is in the final stages of editing and formatting. As of the writing of this (on Sunday), no cover yet but hopefully, by the time you read this, I’ll have it in my files. Anyway, very soon now on a release. I may even generate the energy to do some teases with graphics. We’ll see. 😆

We got outside Saturday. Kid soccer! Yayay! Stormy was very happy to be out with his friends. Sort of. Only 3 members of his team showed up. Two other teams also had 1 and 2 respectively show, so they formed a team to take on the highly organized and practiced team from a local private school. That team was 8U. Stormy’s team had a 5 year-old, two 6 year-olds, two 7 year-olds, and an 8 year-old. A little one-sided on the scoring but the kids had fun and Stormy looked awesome. He’s also gotten faster when he runs. In other sports’ news, rumor has it that MLB will be back around the 4th of July. HUGE yay!

And that’s about all the news fit to print. How many newspapers are still IN print these days? Anyway, what’s going on in your worlds? New week, people. New possibilities! Let’s use them. 😀

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Friday Sinema: Nobody But You

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Silver James

Y’all may–or not–know that Blake Shelton was the inspiration for Deacon Tate, the hero of the THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSITION. Well, Deke’s baby brother Dillon is likely to get the next book and when I heard this song, I knew that if I were in control of the country music world and Deke, Dillon, and the Sons of Nashville were real, Dillon would have written it, Deke and Zoe Parker, who is married to their brother Tucker, would record it, though Deke would be singing to Quinn and Zoe to Tucker. The woman Dillon wrote it about? That’s a big ol’ secret but she’s been around, putting up with his shennanigans. I hope you enjuoy Blake and Gwen Stefani’s rendition as much as I did! Have a great weekend. 🥰

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